VOLUNTEER WITH DOLPHINS IN BUNBURY

WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION

Your project is based at a non-profit Centre committed to dolphin research, education, conservation and tourism based in the South West Coast of Australia. The Centre enables people to interact with Bottlenose dolphins in a variety of ways. There are up to 100 dolphins living in the Bay and groups of them regularly visit the shallow waters in front of the Centre. The Centre was opened in 1994, and is the first Centre in Australia dedicated entirely to dolphin research.

Being a volunteer at the Centre can be a wonderful experience, you meet people from all around the world, not to mention the dolphins! However, your time as a volunteer will involve a lot more than being in the water with the dolphins. Talking and answering questions is a very important part of your role. Eighty percent of your day will involve talking to people who come down to the beach to see the dolphins, thus educating them about their characteristics and making them aware of how crucial it is to conserve these wonderful animals.
Here are some of the tasks you may be involved with:

• Talking to visitors on the beach - explaining what the Dolphin Centre does.
• Assisting to coordinate the Interaction Zone when dolphins visit.
• Managing the front entrance and Dolphin Room area.
• Participating in ’’Coastcare” activities and assist with current research projects.
• Assisting with the research program, recording observations in the bay and monitoring dolphin visits to the zone.
• Inputting the research data into databases for analysis
• General maintenance and cleaning.
• Tour guiding through the Interpretive Centre for the general public, tour groups and school students.
• The work that you'll be involved in depends on what is available at the time of your placement.

TRAINING:
You'll learn a great deal through the training course which covers a wide range of issues and skills and includes presentations from a selection of guest speakers relevant to the operation of the Centre. Regular volunteer meetings are held to ensure you are kept up-to-date with the latest issues regarding marine mammal management and the operations of the Centre.

After having completed a minimum of 20 hours training, you'll receive an official Volunteer T-Shirt which will identify you to the public as a trained representative of the Centre. The Centre relies on the assistance of volunteers to advise visitors on the operations and ethos of the Centre, help manage the dolphin interaction program, actively participate in their research program and act as a guide.

Staff members attend monthly meetings, as well as regular video and BBQ nights, which you'll be invited to attend. By volunteering, you will achieve a great sense of satisfaction knowing that you are assisting in a worthwhile project to increase public awareness about dolphins and other marine life.

This project is a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. You’ll work between 20-40 hours a week, with weekends off. This placement is definitely for animal loving enthusiasts who are willing to work hard and aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty - the rewards are well worth it! Whilst volunteering is rewarding in itself, time spent at a project such as this is an excellent springboard for traveling around Australia. Meeting other volunteers from around the world, and listening to their stories and recommendations can give you the confidence to travel and experience more.

ACCOMMODATION

You'll live in a backpackers conveniently located in the heart of the city. We team up with two different hostels that are very similar in the facilities they provide and in their excellent location that is close to everything! You'll have the beach, the City Centre and lots of other attractions all within two minutes walk and you’ll be able to explore the nearby forests, national parks, beautiful waterways, historic towns, many vineyards and the incredibly beautiful coast-line on your days off.

In the town there is a colourful street of sidewalk cafes called the "Cappuccino Strip" that buzzes all day. There are lots of sidewalk cafes and a variety of waterside dining options offer numerous opportunities to taste the wonders of the local produce. These cafes and the award-winning restaurants, as well as atmospheric historic pubs, ensure the town hums. The city also offers plenty of Entertainment Centres, Art Galleries and cinemas.

You'll stay in a dorm room with access to many facilities in the Backpackers. There is a kitchen where you can cook and an excellent BBQ and outdoor area that is very popular. Other facilities that you'll have free use of include a pool table, table tennis, board games, sporting equipment and off-street parking. you'll also be given a unique City Visitor's Guide and you'll have free access to tea and coffee.

There are fast-speed internet facilities at the Backpackers which you can use for a nominal charge, so you'll be able to keep up with emails with friends and family back home.

FOOD:
Food is not included in this project so you should budget for meals. We feel that a good guide would be a weekly budget of around AUD$70-90.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

TRAVEL AND ARRIVAL ARRANGEMENTS You will fly into Perth airport (Perth is the capital city of Western Australia) where you will be welcomed by our Australian Volunteer Liaison Officer or another one of our staff. They will then transport you to a city backpackers where you will stay for one night to give you time to catch your breath and relax after your flight.

You will be met by us again the following day and given an orientation. After the orientation you will be taken to the Esplanade bus station, located in the Central Business District, where you will be transferred onto a South West coach. The drive down to your project location takes 2-3 hours, mostly along the coastal road and you'll be driving through some beautiful land- and seascapes. When you arrive, a staff member from the Backpackers will meet you at the bus station and take you back to the hostel.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR PLACEMENT?

Once you have applied for a placement, we'll contact you and send you our Welcome Pack. You'll also receive Log-on details and password for our Volunteer Extranet where you'll have access to all the documentation and information which we've put together to facilitate preparations for your adventure! Your Project Co-ordinator for your country will liaise with you throughout the arrangements process, as well as while you're on your placement and on your return home.

The documents you'll have access to also include a Country Factfile, Safety Guide and any manuals that may assist you on your particular programme (e.g. Teaching Guide, Sports Manuals, Enrichment Suggestions for Animal Care, etc.). We do all we can to make your stay one that you'll never forget. This is a truly awesome, elegant and beautiful country.

As with all our destinations, the culture and heritage is different to what you're used to ... which, although one of the most exciting aspects of travelling, should be borne in mind. Self-reliance and independence are highly appreciated in all our destinations and will help you to make the most of this wonderful opportunity!

TRAVELLERS' SUPPORT AND BACKUP: Read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme.

I absolutely loved my project! Annette was wonderful!! She really made me feel like I had a support system from the second I met her at the airport. Alicia Garcia

OPTIONAL ADD-ON ACTIVITIES:

Make the most of your time there! To help you do that, we've put together some exciting activities, courses and tours that you can add to your itinerary. These are designed to be fun, but also to enable you to learn, and expand your personal and professional development enjoyment ... but mostly for your enjoyment! :-)

Terms and Conditions apply for Add-Ons, please see here.

SEE ALL PROJECTS IN AUSTRALIA info@travellersworldwide.com

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LOCATION | SIGHTSEEING:

Try to see some of the country while you're there. It's big (huge!) and each different region is exciting and very, very beautiful.

PROJECT LOCATION - SOUTH WEST COAST: This programme is located in the stunning south west coast in Bunbury, the third largest city in Western Australia. The city is small but a major commercial centre in Western Australia and acts as a hub to the local area about 2½ hrs drive south of Perth. Described as the real Australia. It lies on a spectacular peninsular surrounded by blue waters of the Indian Ocean, a bay and an inlet. A vibrant port city with a strong maritime history, the area is renowned for its quality lifestyle and unique blend of nature, and top quality facilities.

The area's other features include mangroves, rare basaltic rock and nearby Tuart Forest. A colourful "cappuccino strip" of sidewalk cafes and a variety of waterside dining options offer numerous opportunities to taste the wonders of the local produce. The award-winning restaurants and historic pubs ensure the atmosphere hums! The city is surrounded by forests, national parks, waterways, historic towns and hundreds of vineyards, not to mention the incredible coast-line.

CLIMATE: The area has a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot summers and cool winters. Rainfall is during winter but the weather is rather pleasant for the rest of the year. In summer (December to February), the average maximum temperature is 28°C with an average minimum temperature of 14°C. In winter (June to August), it's 19°C with an average minimum of 9°C.

THE BEST OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
(Courtesy of Western Australia Tourism - www.westernaustralia.com)

• Fremantle - Spend a few days in Fremantle is an absolute must. Just a 30 minute drive from Perth's city centre. Freo, as it's known by locals is a vibrant port city you can't miss.
• Rottnest Island - Just offshore from Perth, Rottnest Island is where the locals go to swim at white-sand beaches, snorkel in turquoise water over shipwrecks, or kick back and go fishing. Rotto, as it's called locally, is a car-free zone, which adds to its relaxed feel.
• Margaret River - No trip to Western Australia is complete without a pit stop at Margaret River. Originally a chilled out surfie town, Margaret River has evolved into the ultimate smorgasbord of good food, fine wine and spectacular scenery - just a three-and-a-half hour drive south of Perth.
• Albany - Prepare to be blown away by Albany's dramatic convict history, set against a backdrop of rugged granite coastline, green seas and a wild beauty that tugs at the heartstrings. Step back in time and explore convict jails, old taverns, whaling ships and settlers' cottages and grand National Trust homes in beautifully landscaped grounds.
• Denmark - where towering tall trees meet the ocean. A relaxed village atmosphere, romantic timber milling history and incredible coastal scenery.
• Ningaloo Reef - Take a dive with hundreds of tropical fish, amazing coral formations and the world's biggest fish, the whale shark.
• Monkey Mia - Monkey Mia is one of Western Australia's most famous dolphin watching destinations.
• Shark Bay - The Shark Bay World Heritage Area was Western Australia's first World Heritage Listed site. Shark Bay's wilderness and natural wonders make for a unique holiday.
• The Pinnacles - The extraordinary ancient rock formations are located about a three-hour drive north of Perth near the coastal town of Cervantes.
• Kalgoorlie - Western Australia's largest goldfields town famed for its fascinating gold rush history, fabulous old buildings and old gold miners' ghost towns.
• Esperance - For squeaky-white beaches, getting off the beaten track and bunking down under the stars. This place is so relaxed even the kangaroos sun bake on the beach!
• Bunbury - just two hours drive south of Perth, it is located on a spectacular peninsular surrounded by blue waters of the Indian Ocean, Koombana Bay and the Leschenault Inlet.

TRAVEL:

Read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country.

KEIRA ROWSOME
Volunteering in Western Australia

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for helping me arrange my project in Perth. I had such an amazing time and left with an unforgettable experience.

I'll definitely advise 'Travellers' to anybody hoping for a similar opportunity and experience! I'm already planning my return to Australia after I finish University! Thank you again!

EMMA FLETCHER
British
Volunteering with Dolphins in Western Australia

Working with dolphins was a great experience, once in a life time opportunity and I’m so glad I chose to do it!

I have learned so much and created so many memories and friends I will keep forever. You meet really great people who help you to feel right at home. It really helped to boost my confidence and gave me great experience for the future.

want to become a Marine Biologist and this project helped confirm to myself that this is definitely what I want to do!